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FROM THE CHANCELLOR

Reaching out to the university

While reflecting on my first year as chancellor, I took great satisfaction in the university's efforts to reach out to the community through The Milwaukee Idea. (The latest information about it, incidentally, is on the next page.) I am also very proud of what resulted from other initiatives and events, such as the "Planning for UWM's Future" retreat, Gov. Tommy Thompson's trade mission to Austria and Germany, the "University Engagement in the Community: A Vision for the 21st Century" conference, and the first UWM Fall Convocation.

As I considered these and other successes from 1998-99, my mind kept jumping ahead to areas that I want to improve during my second year at UWM. So instead of using this space to recall in detail what has happened since August 1998, I want to write about an area in which I want to do more before August 2000.

Specifically, I want to share with you the simple fact that I still have much to learn about the fantastic people, programs, and research at this outstanding university. I am now taking very specific steps to learn more about all of these. The first step is the Chancellor's Tour 1999, the second is Box Lunch Conversations, and the third is Chat with the Chancellor.

CHANCELLOR'S TOUR 1999

By now, each academic department should have received from me an unusual invitation. I have invited myself for a visit! Before the end of the calendar year, I want to visit every UWM department and learn about its teaching, research, and service missions.

Because of the many departments here at UWM, each departmental stop will be limited to 50 minutes. What each department shares with me is, of course, up to the people within the department. There are, however, some specifics that I really want to cover each time:

Why is the Chancellor's Tour 1999 important? I get many opportunities every week to sing the praises of this university. The more specifics I know about its activities, the better I will be able to connect UWM with the community.

BOX LUNCH CONVERSATIONS

With more than 700 faculty members on campus, it is hard for me to know what everyone is thinking - but that doesn't mean I can't try. Starting this month, I am hosting Box Lunch Conversations.

For each of these bimonthly sessions, I'll invite 15 faculty members whom I haven't had the opportunity to work with extensively to join me in my office. I'll bring the meal; you'll bring issues that are on your mind and perspectives about them. Each Box Lunch Conversation should have a good mix of faculty members, so I'm hoping that the discussions will be lively and illuminating.

CHAT WITH THE CHANCELLOR

The last initiative has the least structure but is just as exciting as the preceding two. I am opening my office doors to students who would like to visit. Regardless of whether students have a great story to share, something bothering them, a suggestion to make this an even better university, or the desire to see what the chancellor's office looks like close up, Chat with the Chancellor will be the outlet.

The only restriction I am placing on these sessions is they must take place during specific times. The first four are from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27. More chats will be scheduled during the coming months. Information about dates beyond October can be learned by calling my office at 229-4331.

I am very excited about Chat with the Chancellor, Box Lunch Conversations, and Chancellor's Tour 1999. They offer wonderful opportunities for information sharing and for me to get to know the university much better.

I look forward to your thoughtful and enthusiastic participation.
Nancy L. Zimpher
Chancellor

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